Jun 20, 2011 Harley Davidson Full Service VS Oil Change - Duration: 7:33. John Maxwell 81,393 views.
The old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That is especially true when it comes to motorcycle maintenance. Servicing your Harley-Davidson according to the manufacturer's recommendations can keep your bike running for years and prevent breakdown while you're on the road.
Harley-Davidson Maintenance Classifications
Harley-Davidson has three classifications for its maintenance. The first is minor, which is done every 2,500 miles. The 5,000-mile service is classified as major. The final classification is chassis service, and Harley-Davidson recommends have it done every 10,000 miles.
The 5,000 Mile Maintenance Overview
Harley-Davidson's recommended 5,000-mile maintenance service consists of changing fluids, replacing or adjusting some parts and lubricating others. Other parts and systems are inspected, and adjusted or replaced as necessary. Once a technician completes the service, the motorcycle is road tested. A full 5,000-mile service can take several hours to perform.
What Is Replaced At 5,000 Miles
Harley-Davidson recommends replacing the engine oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Technicians will inspect, and if needed replace, a number of other parts. These include the brake fluid, pads and discs and spark plugs.
What Is Adjusted At 5,000 Miles
Normal wear causes some parts to stretch or get loose. Some parts are inspected and adjusted or replaced as necessary. Oil, fuel and brake lines are checked for leaks or abrasions. The air cleaner is inspected and serviced as required. Technicians check the entire exhaust system for leaks and cracks. Any loose or missing heat shields are tightened or replaced. Tire pressure and tread levels are checked. If the tread is worn beyond a safe level the technician will recommend replacing the tire(s). If the Harley-Davidson motorcycle is equipped with spoke wheels the spokes are inspected and tightened if needed. The drive belt and sprockets are checked and adjusted as needed. The throttle, brake, and clutch controls and shift lever are inspected, adjusted and lubricated as necessary. All electrical equipment and switches are checked for proper operation.
The Final Road Test
After all systems and parts have been inspected, replaced and adjusted as necessary, the technician will take the motorcycle for a road test. During the road test the technician verifies that all systems are function properly.
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So my new bike is coming up on its 1,000 mile service. When I bought it the dealer said 'You can do your own maintenance or take the bike anywhere you like, except for the first 1,000 mile service. That has to be done at a dealer or it voids the warranty'.
So I plan to do all the future maintenance myself, but I do see the wisdom of having an experienced tech go over the bike for the first service. But the dealer where I bought it wants $450, I haven't shopped any other dealers yet but from what people here have said that sounds like it's in the ballpark for the dealer. That just seems really outrageous to me. I see some value in the dealer doing it, but $450 works out to 4.7% of the purchase price of the damn bike itself! By this reasoning the first service on my Pontiac would have cost $1,400!
So my question is, before I start shopping the local independent shops, can they really enforce this? Or is it just B.S. from the dealer?
I know in the case of a new car they cannot force you to do the maintenance at the dealer to keep the warranty. Is there some exception to this for motorcycles? Does anyone know for sure?
UPDATE: Someone suggested asking Harley themselves, but I wanted the conversation to be in writing and H-D only has a snail mail address on their site, no email, either physical mail or phone. I emailed the dealer and they said this:
If your 1st service is done by outside source & you have issue with the motor down the road. Harley can ask for documentation of that service to see if it had any cause or effect on the failure.
Now the salesperson clearly said 'must' for the first service and 'will void warranty'. So the two theories I came up with are: either the dealer tells all the salespeople to lie, or more likely, at least in my mind, if a salesperson sells a bike they are told to talk up the service and if the buyer brings it in for the first service they will get some sort of commission.
So I'll probably end up doing it myself, maybe take it to an indy shop, but I'll probably just do it. I guess Harley knows what numbers they want, but I would have paid a lower price, but $450 seems absurd to me. And the shady way they tried to sell it didn't help make it any more palatable.